The terroir-driven Sangiovese renaissance in Chianti Classico continues and leading the charge is Querciabella, one of Tuscany’s top wineries. Today we’re excited to offer their newly arrived Chianti Classico – a wine that delights us every year.
The Chianti Classico 2020 provides a great snapshot of Querciabella’s terroir. The fruit from their three traditional subzones is blended together for this wine, and for the first time it includes Sangiovese from a parcel high up in Lamole, where we stood with winemaker Manfred Ing last year.
Without a doubt, this is ‘Querciabella’s calling card – and an impressive one at that’, says Decanter. This 100% Sangiovese is ‘vibrant and elegant’ (James Suckling), with ‘terrific precision and energy’ (Vinous). The wine is medium-bodied and packed full of red fruit, forest and truffly, earthy notes, neatly tied together by a bright acidity and super-fine tannins.
Querciabella, founded in 1974 by Giuseppe ‘Pepito’ Castiglioni, has grown from a single hectare on a Tuscan hillside to one of Italy’s foremost organic wineries under the leadership of Pepito’s son, Sebastiano. Celebrating their 50th vintage in 2024, Querciabella is praised as a ‘pioneer of sustainable viticulture in Italy’ by Susan Hulme MW. Their winemaking practices are fully plant-based and vegan certified. Flanked by ancient oak forests, the estate’s 100 hectares of vines are located in the most prestigious, high-altitude DOCG appellations of Greve, Radda and Gaiole.
‘There are a ton of notable wines in this range’, wrote Antonio Galloni of these releases, so be sure to have a look at their brilliant 2019 Riserva, their ‘off-the-charts’ Merlot Palafreno, ‘cult-like’ Turpino, Mongrana – the wild value from Maremma, and more! View the full range.
Tasting Notes:
Querciabella Chianti Classico 2020 (750ml and 1500ml)
‘Pure fruit on the nose, with rose hips, cherries, blueberries, lemon leaves and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and firm tannins. Vibrant and elegant, with such purity of fruit. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 93/100
‘The 2020 Chianti Classico is impressive and pure, with ripe black cherry, a hint of blue fruit, violets, and sweet herbs. It is medium to full-bodied, with supple fruit throughout, fine grained tannins, and a polished feel. It displays fresh acidity without any harsh edges, but it is mouthwatering and compels returning for more. This beautiful wine from Querciabella is drinking well now, and I imagine will continue to improve over the coming decade or more.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, 93/100
